US hit by huge snowstorm

A pedestrian walks along a snowy path in Central Park

A massive storm packing hurricane-force winds and blizzard conditions is sweeping through the Northeast of the USA, dumping nearly two feet of snow on New England and knocking out power to more than a half a million customers.

More than 23 inches of snow had fallen in parts of central Connecticut by early today, and more than 21 inches covered Randolph in south-eastern Massachusetts.

The National Weather Service said up to 3 feet of snow is expected in Boston, threatening the city’s 2003 record of 27.6 inches.

Throughout the Northeast, more than 600,000 homes and businesses lost electricity. Airlines cancelled more than 5,300 flights today, and New York City’s three major airports and Boston’s Logan Airport closed.

The storm is being blamed on at least four deaths in New York and Canada.

Earlier police in New York said hundreds of cars are stuck on the Long Island Expressway during the massive snowstorm and dozens of disabled motorists are still on the road.